HOLLAND, MI – A proposed West Michigan Water Trail for kayakers, canoeists and kiteboarders could provide an economic boost to lakeshore communities, as well as encourage the environmental protection of local waterways, according to a new report.

The 121-page report, prepared by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Grand Valley State University’s department of hospitality and tourism management, and the planning firm Williams and Works, says a water trail could encourage kayakers and canoeists to use local lakes, and in turn, visit coastal communities. The report is the product of a series of listening sessions that were held in communities from Benton Harbor to Ludington over the past few months.

"We understand water trails as a wonderful tool to help people build awareness around environmental protection issues and deepen our passion for protecting this unique space that we’re so blessed to live in,” WEMAC Executive Director Rachel Hood said.

The report proposes to bring existing waterways as well as newly-identified trails into a single network. It identifies extensive opportunities for promoting kayaking and canoeing along the Lake Michigan coast.

“We’re looking at the connections between downtowns like Holland, Grand Haven and Saugatuck/Douglas, and the water trail,” Hood said. “We want to highlight those connections as much as possible.”

The report identifies some concerns that came out of the listening sessions, including stretches with no public access, lack of kayak rental shops and limited number of camping sites.

Greg Holcombe, of the Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway, said the report represented “a good start,” but expressed concern that it lacked details in the type of users who might take advantage of the water trail.

“The difference between a person who jumps in the boat at their cottage for a few minutes and someone who is on a multi-day camping trip (is significant),” Holcombe said. “That’s a huge, huge range of users … There are people who will spend big money canoeing and kayaking.”

A final report is expected to be released in August. The report was made possible by a grant of nearly $96,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, funneled through the DEQ’s Coastal Management Grant program, said Jamie Vaughan, an intern for WEMAC.